Attgtjste pache



A. PACH E. SPARK PLUGAND PBIMING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20. $917 Patented Dec. 16,1919.

To all whom it may concern:

uI ED STATES ESE-EN FFICE.

AUeUs'rE' PAGI-IE, or NEW Your. 1v. Y.-

SPARK-PLUG- AND PRIMING DEVICE.

I Application filed April 20,

Be it known that I, Aneos'rn PAoHn, a subject of Switzerland, residing in the city of New York. borough of Manhattan, county and State of, New York, have invented a certain new and useful Spark-Plug and Priming Device,"of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a spark plug and priming device and is an improvement upon the structure of my prior application Serial No. 95,264, filed May 3, 1916. The object of this prior invention was to provide a device, simple in construction, and the parts of which. could be readily dismantled for cleaning purposes, said device being further provided with means whereby the engine with which the plug was associated might be primed through the plug. vSaid means further allowed of the cleansing of the electrode of the plug without necessitating the removal of the plug from the engine.

In structures of the type exemplified by my prior invention, one of the electrodes is generally made in the form of a pin serving as a' valve, which cooperates. with a seat formed on a downward projection on the interior of the plug. The provision of the downward projection specified generally causes the formation within the plug of a dead-air space. or chamber above the spark gap, and, as this chamber is not provided with an outlet, except at. its bottom, which is in communication with the engine eylin der, said chamber, after long continued use of the plug, becon'ies substantially filled with a deposit of carbon. which it is impossible to remove without taking the plug from the engine and dismantlin the same.

The object of the present invention is to provide a plug embodying all the features of advantage of my previous plug. but provided with further means whereby carbon deposits may be. removed from the said chamber in a simple and etlicient manner, and without necessitating the dismantling of the plug or the removal of the same from the engine.

Features of the invention, other than those specified, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

1n the accompanying drawing 1 have illus-' Specification of Letters Patent. i Patented Dec. 16, 1919.

1917 Serial N0. 183,324.

trated one practical embodimentof the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical, central section through a combined spark plug and priming device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of said plug, and

Fig. 3 is a. transverse section taken in the planeof the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, A designates a. metallic. shell threaded, as at a, to screw intoa threaded tap of an engine cylinder. The upper portion of shell A is interiorly threaded to-receive an eXteriorly threaded,.

tubular plug 13, which carries or supports the remaining portionsof the spark plug and priming device.

Positioned within plug l3 is the depending tubular stem 0 of an insulating block C, through which extends a tubular metallic bushing l). Bushing l) is provided intermediate its ends with a shoulder (7. adapted to be seated in the base of arecess 0' formed. in the base of insulating member (7. Said insulating block C is provided intermediate its ends with an exterior annular shoulder n". so that. in assembling the parts. the lower end of insulating block is inserted into the upper portion of shell A. and thereafter the threaded tubular. plug screwed down upon shoulder to tightly bind insulating block between plug B and shell A. as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Cushionin washers or gaskets c are preferably introduced between the binding surfaces to assure tight joints and preclude leakage.

Bushing l) thus c mstitutes. in effect, the core 01 the plug and is held in the position shown. to maintain the parts in assembled relation. by means of a nut 0 which is screwed onto the upper portion of said bushing. the same being exteriorly threaded to cooperate with said nut. Nut 1% seats on a washer (Z superimposed upon the upper face of insulating block C.

Preferably formed integral with nut (1, and on the upper portion thereof, is a bowlshaped vessel E. adapted to contain the hydrocarbon liquid for priming the engine. and said liquid is adapted to flow from the vessel ll. through ducts 1' formed in bushing D at the base of the vessel. into the interior passage of the bushing and down through and the engine, thilnble I beyond the lower end of said passage into the interior of shell A, thence passing directly into the engine cylinder.

As is generally the case in spark plugs, shell A, which threads into the top of the engine, is metallic and is, accordingly, in electrical connection with the casting of the engine, which is electrically grounded. The shell, therefore, serves as one of the electrodes of the ignition circuit, the other electrode being, in accordancelwith this invention, embodied in a detachhble pin F, slidabl positioned within tubular bushing D.

l in F embodies a metallic member, provided at one end with a threaded stem f, and an adjacent cylindrical portion f, and at its opposite end with a reduced cylindrical portion f Adjacent the portion 1- is a portion f, which is preferably polygonal in cross section and extends from the portion 7' to a short distance from the portion f. Upon the stem f is adapted to be positioned a thimble 9, provided .with a laterally ex tending arm 57, carrying at its end an insulating knob G the thnnble seats on the upperend of the cylindrical portion 7" and is securely locked in place by a jam-nut screwed on the storm)". 4 The interior of the thiinblegg "is threaded, and the threads thereof are adapted to cooperate with the threaded portion of bushing D, which extends upwardly beyond vessel E, as shown in Fig.1; Thus, by rotating handle G, the thimble is raised or lowered upon bushing I), with the result that the electrode F is raised or lowered. As stated, the portion f of the electrode F is polygonal in cross section, the purpose of this being to allow the priming fluid introduced into bowl E to circulate downwardly through the passage of the bushing about the polygonal portion, which, because of its shape, does not entirely fill the cylindrical passage of bushing.

intermediate the polygonal or squared port-ion f and the reduced portion f of electrode F formed a frusto-conical valve adapted to seat, when thimble g is screwed down upon the upper end of bushing D, upon a similarly shaped valve seat d formed interior of the bushing, as shown best in Fig. 1; In the normal operation of is screwed down so that valve 7' is maintained seated to close the passage through the bushing. However, when it is desired to prime the engine, handle G is manipulated to raise the thilnble, unsealthe valve, and allow the priming fluid to flow downwardly through the interior of said bushing and into the engine cylinder. Upon the conclusion of the priming operation thimble g is again seated by a eonntearotation of handle (l, and the englue is free to carry out its normal operations, it being understood that the spark occurs between the lower end of the electrode F and the fixed electrode a, depending from threaded portion a of the shell. If desired, however, the lower end of shell A may be shaped as shown in my prior application, so'that the spark gap is between the lower ends of the shell and electrode.

It will, of course, be understood that, in con'ipleting the ignition circuit of the engine, the main from the magneto, battery, or coil, is secured to the threaded stem, the other pole of the circuit being grounded, as is common.

It is unnecessary, in the carrying out of the priming operation, to detach any of the parts, but merely lift the electrode F a short distance. As a matter of fact, no part is detached during this operation, or left in such position that, if the charge is fired in the engine cylinder, the parts may be blown oil", with resulting damage, as has fro-- quently been the case in prior art devices. It will, however, be manifest that, when thimble g is raised specified, con'nnunication will be opened between the combustion chamber of the engine and the outer atmosphere through the bushing of the plug. Moreover, even though electrode F is raised sufficiently to open such communication, the lower .end of said electrode remains in operative relation to the other electrode a, so that the ignition circuit is not rendered inoperative by the elevation of electrode F, and the engine may continue to operate even though said electrode is elevated as described. This is an important advantage, hereinafter manifest, and enables the plug toacconu lish an important fuhction, since it will be manifest that, if

an outlet for the IJIQSSUIO in the engine is provided through the plug, the out-rush of gases through the plug, W hen the clnrrge in the engine cylinder is fired, will accomplish a scouring action upon the electrodes, as well as on the entire passage leading to the outer atmosphere. This scouring action will serve to remove all. carbon deposits from the electrodes, the chamber in the lower end of the plug, and the passages and ducts of said bushing.

My prior (:(mstruction was capable of this general result, but was open to the objection that the dead-air chamber hereinbeforc specified was not freed of carbon deposits during the blowing-oil or scavenging operation. The same chamber is inc-(n'porated in the plug); of this invention and is embodied in the recess (1 at the base of the insulating block and the communicating interior pas sage throughthe threaded portion of shell However, in accordance with this invention, said chamber is not a dead-air chamber, but is, in effect, a circulation cham her, since a plurality of passages or holes I are provided through the bushing below athe valve seatf il -to open communication be tween said'ehamber and theinterior passage through the bush n W 1th this conustruction, the lifting of t 1e valve will allow 5 of the passage of the engine pressure not only directly up through the passage bushing and around electrode 'through the v 'F, but, also, through said chamber and passages I into the lnterior of said bushing.

it) The force of these scavenging gases is Very great, so that the carbon deposits within the' ,"heretofore dead-air chamber are icarried on, circuiting ot the plug is precluded.

15 1f the op e'ratioir'of scavenging the plug,

. as described, is carried oif from time to time,

and at such mterval si'as not to allowof too heavy adeposit'ofcarbon, the most bene;

' Eficia1 results arefaecomplished, since, 'mani zoflfestly, a relatively small deposit of carbon maybe more readily removed than a comparatively heavy coating orbody of such material. -"For all normal conditions, the freeing of the plug of carbon may be ac ,comphshed' in the manner specified without necessitating the dismantling of any part of the plug; However, if desired, electrode F maybe readily removed or withdrawn from bushing'D by unscrewing the' thimble beyond its priming position sufliciently to rejlease the same from'thethreads of the bushjingz; 'VVhe'n-thus' removed, electrode F may "be 'scrapt'ed sand-papered, or' otherwise op- 'eifa'ted "pon, from'time to time, and again ing the detaching operation.

it will be noted from Fig. 1 that the bushing D extends downwardly substantially to the lower end of the plug, and it thus forms a guide for electrode F. Accordingly, end P of said electrode becomes highlyheated,"the electrode wi'll not get out of plumband short-circuit through the lowercnd of shell A. This is an important advantage, since it is" well known that the temper is drawn from the electrodes of the plug and a. jar of the engine is likely to bend, a long;

"plug'at the point where the spark normally occurs. This cannot result in the plug of this invention, as the lower end of the bushing serves to steady thelower end of electrode F, while in its heated condition.

It will be manifest from the foregoing description that the present invention embodies manyfeatures of novelty which, when employed in combination, produce a priming plug of greatly increased efliciency. It will be understood, however, that many advantages of the invention may be obtained through the employment of some ofthe features individually, without necessarily em- "ploying all. The invention is, therefore, to

p be understood 'as not limited to thespec'ific properly positioned 'inthe plug by revers even though the reduced lower' thin electrode suificiently to short-circuit the .showing made, but as broadly novel as is ing a-spark plug provided with a core me1nber having a longitudinal passage there- 'through, an attaching shell for mounting the plug in operative relation to an internal combustion engine, the shell being spaced from the core member at the lower portion of the plug to provide a'chamber, ducts leadfrom said chamber to the passage through the core, and means for normally sealing said passage, said means being operable to unseal the passage to allow the pressure within the engine cylinder to be exhausted through the chamber, ducts, and the passage of the 00m, for the purpose of scavenging the parts of carbon deposits.

2. A device of the class described embodying a spark plug provided with a core member having a longitudinal passage there-- passage of the core, for the purpose of scavenging the parts of carbon deposits.

3. A device of theclass described embodying a spark plug provided with a core member having a longitudinal passage there- -through, an attaching shell for mounting the plug in operative relation to an internal combustion engine, the shell being spaced from the core member at the lower portion of the plug to'provide a chamber, ducts leadin from said chamber to the passage through the core, a rod extending longitudinally of said passage, a valve associated with said rod,l and means for raising and loweringthe rod to unseat or seat the valve, whereby, when the valve is unseatcd, the pressure in the engine cylinder is exhausted through said passage and ducts for the pur pose of-scavenging the partsof carbon deposits. 4. y

4. A device of the class described embodying a spark plug provided with a core member having a longitudinal passage there through, an attaching shell for mounting the plug in operative relation to an internal combustion engine, the shell being spaced from the core memberat the lower portion of the. plug to provide a chamber, ducts leading from said chamber to the passage through the core, means for normally sealing said passage, said means being operable to unseal the passage to allow the pressure within the engine cylinder to be exhausted through the chamber, ducts, and the passage of the core, for the purpose of scavenging the parts of carbon deposits, said passage also serving to convey priming fluid into the engine cylinder when the engine is at rest, and means for feeding said priming fiuid to said passage.

5. A device of the class described cmbodying a spark plug provided with a core member having a longitudinal passage therethrough, an attaching shell for mounting the plug in operative relation to an internal combustion engine, the shell being spaced from the core member at the lower portion of the plug to provide a chamber, ducts leading from said chamber to the passage through the core, means for normally sealing saidpassage, said means being operable to unseal the passage to allow the pressure within the enginecylinder to be exhausted through the chamber, ducts, and the passage of the core, for the purpose of scavenging the parts of carbondeposits, said passage also'serving to convey priming fluid into the engine cylinder when the engine is at rest, and a priming vessel for feeding said priming fluid to said passage.

6. A device of the class described embodying a spark plug provided with a core member having a longitudinal passage therethrough, an attaching shell for mounting the plug in operative relation to an internal combustion engine, the shell being spaced from the core member at the lower portion of the plug to provide a chamber, ducts leading from said chamber to the passage through the core, a rod extending longitudinally of said passage, a valve associated with said rod, and means for raising 'and' lowering the rod to unseat or seat the valve, whereby, when the valve is unseated, the

pressure in the engine cylinder is exhausted.

through said passage and ducts for the purpose of scavenging the parts of carbon deposit-s, said rod-serving as one of the electrodes of the plug. 7. A device of the class described embodying a spark plug provided with a core member having a longitudinal passage therethrough, an attaching shell for mounting the plug in operative relation to an internal combustion engine, the shell being spaced from the core member at the lower portion of the plug to provide a chamber, duct-s leading from said chamber to the passage /through the core, a rod extending longitudinally of said passage, a valve associated with said rod, means for raising and lowering the rod to unseat or seat the valve, whereby, when the valve is unseated, the pressure in the engine cylinder is exhausted through said passage and ducts tor the pur- .;bodying i spark plug provided with a longitudinal.

passage, a vessel, ducts communicating with the vessel and said passage, a rod slidahle longitudinally of said passage and provided with means for sealin the passage, said rod serving as one of the electrodes of the plug, a chamber in the lower end of said plug, ducts leading from the chamber to the longitudinal passage of the plug, and means for moving the rod into a position to open said passage to allow the pressure within the engine, with which the plug is associ ated, to be exhausted through the chamber, ducts, and the longitudinal passage of the plug, for the purpose of freeing the parts 01' carbon deposits, said ducts and passage serving to convey a priming fluid deposited within the vessel to the interior. of the engine cylinder, when the engine is at rest.

9. A device of the class decribed embody ing a spark plug having an insulating member, a tubular core member extending through the insulating member and beyond the lower edge thereof, an attaching shell mounted on the insulating member and also extending below the lower edge of the same to form a chamber intermediate the shell and the core member at the lower portionof the plug, ducts leading from said chamber into the interior of the tubular core and valve mechanism for sealing or unsealing the passage through said core, said passage serving, when unsealed, to allow of the exhaust of the pressure within the engine cylinder through the plug for the purpose of freeing the parts of carbon deposits.

10. A device of the class described embodying a spark plug having an insulating member, a tubular core member extending through the insulating member and beyond the lower edge thereof, an attaching shell mounted on the insulating member and also extending below the lower edge of the same to form a chamber intermediate the shell and the core member at the lower portion of the plug, ducts leading fromsaid chamber into the interior. of the tubular core, and valve mechanism for sealing or unsealing the passage through said core. said passage serving, when unsealed, to allow ot the exhaust of the pressure within the engiw cylinder through the plug for therpurpose of i'reeing the'parts of carbon deposits 'u'lnm the engine is operating. and flowing trainintrodurtion of priming ilnid into the cngim;

ll device. of the class described en:-

park plug having an insulatin member, a tubular core member extending through the insulating member and beyond the lower edge thereof, an attaching shell mounted on the insulating member and also extending below the lower edge of the same to form a chamber intermediate the shell and the core member at the lower portion of the plug, ducts leading from said chamber into the interior of the tubular core, an electrode extending longitudinally through the passage of the core, valvular means as sociated with said electrode, and means for shifting the. electrode longitudinally of said passage to seal orunseal the passage, said passage serving, when unsealed, toallow of the exhaust of the pressure within the engine cylinder through the plug for the purpose of freeing the parts of carbon deposits when the engine is operating, and allow of the introduction of priming fluid into the engine cylinder when the engine is at rest.

12. A device of the class described embodying a spark plug provided with a core member having a longitudinal passage theretln-ough, an attaching shell for mounting the plug in operative relation to an internal combustion engine, the shell being spaced from the core member at the lower portion of the plug to provide a chamber, ducts leading from said chamber to the. pars sage through the core, an electrode consisting of a rod extending longitudinally of said passage with a part shaped to conform with a corresponding part of the core to form a VillYO and means for raising and lowering the rod to unseat or seat the valve, whereby, when the Valve is unseated, the pressure in the enginecylinder may be exhausted through said passage and ducts for the purpose of scavenging the parts of carbon deposits, or the engine may be primed through said core.

13. A spark plug embodying an insulating member. a tubular core member'extending through the insulating member and beyond the lower edge thereof, an attaching shell mounted on'the insulating member and also extending below the lower edge of the same to forma chamber intermediate the shell of the core member at the lower portion of i-\UGUSTE PACHE. 

